The Sony Music Publishing name has returned after 25 years, introducing a new brand identity with a redesigned logo and revitalized mission.
Driven by the leadership of Chairman & CEO Jon Platt, the renewal of the Sony Music Publishing name signifies the company’s desire to identify as “A Creative Entertainment Company with a Solid Foundation of Technology.”
The refreshed logo is designed as an abstraction of sound waves—with resonance and vibrations that express infinitely expanding opportunities for songwriters. Complementing the symbol, the Sony Music Publishing ethos is ‘every voice matters’, elevating the vision and goals of songwriters.
Sony/ATV was established in 1995 through a joint venture with Michael Jackson that brought together the original Sony Music Publishing with Jackson’s ATV Music. Jackson had acquired ATV Music, which owned the Northern Songs catalogue, in 1985. Northern Songs owned the rights to all the songs that John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote during their time with the Beatles. In 2016, Sony acquired the Michael Jackson Estate’s 50% share of Sony/ATV making it a wholly owned Sony company.
Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Platt commented, “Sony Music Publishing has always embraced the power of songwriting to connect cultures and bring people together. Since its inception, Sony Music Publishing has supported the careers of songwriters and continues to defend their rights. Returning to the Sony Music Publishing name reconnects us to our legacy and further unifies our mission and culture with the Sony Corporation. Our new brand embodies a modern vision to be an authentic reflection of the music and songwriters we represent.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston spoke to MusicRow about the rebrand and its implications for the company’s Nashville presence.
“Jon Platt came in as a new Chairman and CEO 18 months ago, and he has done such an incredibly terrific job at transforming the entire company’s culture,” Gaston tells MusicRow. “Part of this rebrand is breathing a fresh and new life into what he has done to this company in general; making the focus on relationships and service. When he came in, he was very vocal about wanting this company to be the destination for the world’s greatest songwriters. This rebranding is a natural evolution of the way he is transforming this company and it’s all incredibly positive.”
Gaston, who is also newly at the helm of Sony Music Publishing’s Nashville office, is excited about the company refresh.
“It’s really exciting because I’m brand new here as well. I’ve only been here a year and I walked in with the same passion and enthusiasm that Jon Platt did for the company overall. It was about making the focus of this Nashville office to be on one-on-one relationships with songwriters and about us providing hands-down, the very best service the songwriter could possibly get in Nashville.”
He says that the Sony Music Publishing Nashville office is getting a refresh as well, with the space being renovated.
“I am incredibly excited about when we come out of this pandemic, not only are we going back into a new Sony Music Publishing campus on Music Row, but it’s going to be completely renovated and it’s going to be the actual destination that songwriters want to come to.”
Gaston sums, “It’s a new culture and in Nashville, we’re going to have a brand new space.”
Morgan Wallen Tells Fans To Stop Defending Him: ‘It’s On Me To Take Ownership For This’
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
A little over a week after a video surfaced of a drunken Morgan Wallen yelling profanities including the N-word outside his Nashville home, the singer-songwriter has released a statement. The five-minute video, posted late Wednesday night (Feb. 10), shows Wallen nine days sober. “The video that you saw was me on hour 72 of 72 of a bender, and that’s not something I’m proud of either.”
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Wallen’s statement was his call to fans to stop defending him. “I appreciate those who still see something in me and have defended me, but for today, please don’t. I was wrong. It’s on me to take ownership for this. I fully accept any penalties I’m taking.”
Though his music was largely effaced from country radio, with companies like iHeartMedia and Cumulus pulling his music from their hundreds of stations, Wallen’s sales have surged following the incident.
Wallen said that he had accepted invitations from “some amazing Black organizations,” to open a dialogue about the issue.
Noteably, Wallen also commented that when he was made aware of the video shortly before it was posted to TMZ, he issued a larger apology that was not published in full.
Watch Wallen’s full statement below.
FGL to Play Amazon Global Live Stream February 25
/by Lorie HollabaughUPDATED: Due to inclement weather in Nashville, the event has been moved to Feb. 25.
“Due to inclement weather in Nashville, we are moving our Amazon Music Global Livestream to Thursday, Feb. 25. The party starts at 7pm CT via the Amazon Music Twitch channel and within the Amazon Music mobile app. Keep on listening to LIFE ROLLS ON and we look forward to performing for y’all next week!” said the band.
Florida Georgia Line. Photo: John Shearer
Florida Georgia Line has partnered with Amazon Music for an upcoming exclusive global live stream concert, “Life Rolls On From The FGL House,” featuring new music from FGL’s brand new album Life Rolls On, on Feb. 25.
CMT’s Cody Alan will host a Q&A before the duo performs live with their full band from their venue in Nashville. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. CT and fans can catch all the action via the Amazon Music Twitch channel and within the Amazon Music mobile app via the new livestreaming functionality by Twitch and Amazon Music. The performance will also be available to watch on the Amazon Music Twitch channel for three days afterwards.
“We’ve definitely been missing the road, our band, and especially our fans,” said FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. “We can’t think of a better reason to team up with our CMT family and hit the stage at FGL House in support of our fellow downtown Nashville merchants affected by the bombing. With the help of our friends at Amazon Music, we’ll be playing and live streaming tunes from Life Rolls On, and can’t wait to share some good vibes with our community. Tune in y’all!”
For “Life Rolls On From The FGL House,” Amazon Music, Florida Georgia Line, CMT and Big Machine Label Group have each donated to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Nashville Neighbors Fund to support downtown merchants affected by the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville. Grants from the Fund are made available to nonprofits providing services for both immediate and long-term needs for those impacted from the explosion. Fans can learn more about the Fund by visiting cfmt.org/NashvilleNeighbors or donate during the livestream via Tiltify.
John Cantu Appointed GM of RED Creative Records
/by Lorie HollabaughJohn Cantu. Photo: Courtesy RED Creative Group
John Cantu has been named General Manager of RED Creative Records. In this new position, Cantu will oversee day-to-day operations, marketing, distribution, branding, and creative direction for RED’s artist and development roster, including LJ, Noah Hicks, and Baker Grissom.
Cantu comes to RED Creative from Anthem Entertainment, where he worked in a global label and corporate marketing role. He also previously served as Marketing Director for Riser House Entertainment, where he helped launch the careers of artists like Mitchell Tenpenny.
“I am very excited to welcome John to RED Creative Records,” says RED Creative Group’s founder, Jeremy Stover. “His thoughtful vision, business, and creative prowess are great assets that are going to benefit us immensely at RED. He loves artists and working with them to make their vision a success.”
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to build upon what Jeremy has created,” said Cantu. “I’m a big fan of the thoughtfulness, creativity, and quality behind everything at RED. Jeremy has an amazing track record and has grown an impressive roster and business. I’m looking forward to helping RED and our artists make some noise.”
Since its inception under Stover in 2014, RED Creative Group has celebrated over 200 cuts and 35 singles on the country charts with songs including “How Not To” by Dan + Shay, “Somebody Else Will” by Justin Moore, “How I’ll Always Be” by Tim McGraw, “Sleep Without You” by Brett Young, and “After A Few” by Travis Denning. The group has also helped secure label deals for their developing acts, including Denning (Mercury) and Adam Hambrick (Capitol Nashville/Buena Vista).
Centricity Partners With ADA; Plans New Music From Lauren Daigle and More
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (clockwise): Lauren Daigle, Apollo LTD, Coby James, Chris Renzema
Centricity Music, the No. 1 Billboard Top Christian Albums Imprint for the third consecutive year, partners with Warner Music Group’s ADA Worldwide for distribution in 2021.
Centricity Music and ADA were already partners for the release of Lauren Daigle’s Platinum-selling, Grammy-winning Look Up Child. Going forward, all active Centricity Music titles will be available for retail accounts to purchase through ADA.
This includes Daigle’s first new music in two years, “Hold On To Me,” set for release Feb. 26.
Other new music is coming from Chris Renzema, North Point Worship and Coby James, this is in addition to recent releases from Apollo LTD and Jordan Feliz.
“We are so excited to be partnering with ADA. When looking for a distribution partner we were looking for a world-class organization with additional opportunities for the Centricity artists,” said Steve Ford, Centricity Music General Manager. “With ADA we found an incredible team that was excited about the entire roster. We look forward to working with them to continue the artist development story for our artists.”
“We have long admired the extraordinary Centricity team and roster, and on behalf of everyone at ADA, we are proud to welcome Centricity to the family,” said Eliah Seton, President of Independent Music and Creator Services at Warner Music Group. “We can’t wait to help amplify the unique voices of this incredible label in the US and around the world.”
In 2020, Centricity Music artists and Centricity Publishing songwriters received 15 GMA Dove Award nominations and three wins.
Centricity was previously distributed by CCMG/Universal.
Spotify Launches Website Noteable For Songwriters, Artists
/by Lorie HollabaughCarole King featured on the Spotify’s Noteable site.
Spotify’s new global home for songwriters, producers, and publishers, Noteable, has officially launched.
The Noteable website features a central space to learn about everything Spotify has to offer, find new opportunities, and collaborate with other users. Through the new website, email newsletter, Instagram, and Twitter, listeners can get the latest news, updates on relevant products and services, new programs and video resources, and connect.
On Noteable (noteable.spotify.com) users can access all of the resources available, including relevant information on Spotify Publishing Analytics, Spotify for Artists, Songwriter Pages, the newly-launched Songwriters Hub, or SoundBetter, plus answers to FAQs and news straight from Spotify and the industry at large.
The site will also feature video series including The Game Plan and Songwriter Saturdays series, featuring Julia Michaels, Boi 1-da, and more. Later this year, a new series for students, “How I Started, How It’s Going,” featuring world-class producers walking viewers through their career arcs will be introduced, as well as “Song Start,” an educational video series in partnership with Ali Tamposi and Tamar Kaprelian to coach new songwriters and artists as they delve into the complexities of the industry.
A new monthly newsletter, The Beat Drop, will also highlight industry news and feature Noteable Releases for the month.
CMHoF Exhibit Highlights 2020 In Country Music
/by Sarah SkatesThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will open the exhibit American Currents: State of the Music on Friday, March 12, 2021, highlighting the most significant developments in country music over the previous year.
Those recognized in this year’s exhibition through artifacts on display include Gabby Barrett, Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Rissi Palmer, John Prine, Sister Sadie, Billy Strings and Eddie Stubbs.
“As a museum, we document and report on country music history—past and present. Each year through the American Currents: State of the Music exhibit, we explore the music and events that helped to shape it,” said Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Amid a global health crisis, a renewed push for social justice, and more, the powerful role of country music and the stories told through it remained constant.”
The exhibit’s Unbroken Circle feature illustrates connections between country music’s past and present by pairing memorabilia from artists such as Jimmie Allen and Darius Rucker; Ingrid Andress and Faith Hill; Charley Crockett and Freddy Fender; and Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights and the Statler Brothers’ Lester “Roadhog” Moran & the Cadillac Cowboys.
Also included is a video compilation of important country music moments from 2020, and the year’s chart-topping albums, singles and highest-grossing tours.
The exhibit runs through Feb. 6, 2022.
Pre-Pandemic Music Industry Generated $170 Billion GDP
/by Sarah SkatesA comprehensive report released this week examines the music industry’s contribution to the U.S. economy. The report by economists Robert Stoner and Jéssica Dutra of Economists, Inc. evaluates pre-pandemic data and documents music’s ability to drive job creation and economic growth.
Among the findings, based on data from 2018, the music industry contributed $170 billion to US GDP annually, and supported 2.5 million jobs nationwide in core music activities like recording, streaming, and live performance, as well as adjacent fields like travel, retail, and marketing.
As an export, music generated $9.1 billion in foreign sales annually. And, for every dollar created by music activities, an additional fifty cents is created in adjacent business or fields.
In Tennessee, the music industry contributed $5.8 billion GDP and almost 62,000 jobs.
“This data provides an important pre-COVID benchmark of the music economy that will guide us as we determine what a return to ‘normal’ must include,” said Josh Friedlander, SVP of Research and Economics at RIAA. “It also charts a course for state and federal policymakers to leverage music’s ability to produce strong economic growth and high-paying domestic jobs.”
Read The U.S. Music Industries: 2020 Jobs & Benefits Report.
Sideman, Songwriter, Producer Richie Albright Passes
/by Robert K OermannRichie Albright. Photo: Courtesy Country Music Hall of Fame
Influential drummer Richie Albright, best known as the founder of Waylon Jennings’ band The Waylors, died at age 81 on Tuesday (Feb. 9).
The Arizona native teamed up with Jennings in Phoenix nightclubs in 1964. They came to Nashville together in 1966, and Albright became the superstar’s producer on such hits as 1980’s million-selling “Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys).”
He was known as the “right arm” of Country Music Hall of Fame member Waylon Jennings (1937-2002). In addition to appearing on many million-selling Jennings LPs, Albright co-wrote the Jennings/Hank Williams Jr. duet hit “The Conversation” of 1983.
His career spanned more than 50 years and included backing such stars as Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser, Johnny Cash, Tony Joe White, David Lynn Jones, Johnny Rodriguez and Billy Joe Shaver, as well as Jennings and Williams.
He also produced records for Williams, Colter and Shaver.
In 2019, Richie Albright was featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Nashville Cats” series.
He was responsible for the pounding “drive” in the Outlaw Sound of Jennings. Albright brought a rock edge to country music that has influenced the genre’s drummers ever since the 1970s.
“I have marveled at this man’s musicianship since I was a boy,” posted Jeff Stevens on Facebook. “He was at the heart of Waylon Jennings’ sound. His music will live forever as some of the best country music ever made. Godspeed Richie Albright.”
Albright is survived by his wife, Linda, his sons, Brian and Trey, his daughter, Richel, and his brother, Jerry. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Sony Music Publishing Rebrands, Revitalizes Mission
/by LB CantrellThe Sony Music Publishing name has returned after 25 years, introducing a new brand identity with a redesigned logo and revitalized mission.
Driven by the leadership of Chairman & CEO Jon Platt, the renewal of the Sony Music Publishing name signifies the company’s desire to identify as “A Creative Entertainment Company with a Solid Foundation of Technology.”
The refreshed logo is designed as an abstraction of sound waves—with resonance and vibrations that express infinitely expanding opportunities for songwriters. Complementing the symbol, the Sony Music Publishing ethos is ‘every voice matters’, elevating the vision and goals of songwriters.
Sony/ATV was established in 1995 through a joint venture with Michael Jackson that brought together the original Sony Music Publishing with Jackson’s ATV Music. Jackson had acquired ATV Music, which owned the Northern Songs catalogue, in 1985. Northern Songs owned the rights to all the songs that John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote during their time with the Beatles. In 2016, Sony acquired the Michael Jackson Estate’s 50% share of Sony/ATV making it a wholly owned Sony company.
Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Platt commented, “Sony Music Publishing has always embraced the power of songwriting to connect cultures and bring people together. Since its inception, Sony Music Publishing has supported the careers of songwriters and continues to defend their rights. Returning to the Sony Music Publishing name reconnects us to our legacy and further unifies our mission and culture with the Sony Corporation. Our new brand embodies a modern vision to be an authentic reflection of the music and songwriters we represent.”
Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston spoke to MusicRow about the rebrand and its implications for the company’s Nashville presence.
“Jon Platt came in as a new Chairman and CEO 18 months ago, and he has done such an incredibly terrific job at transforming the entire company’s culture,” Gaston tells MusicRow. “Part of this rebrand is breathing a fresh and new life into what he has done to this company in general; making the focus on relationships and service. When he came in, he was very vocal about wanting this company to be the destination for the world’s greatest songwriters. This rebranding is a natural evolution of the way he is transforming this company and it’s all incredibly positive.”
Gaston, who is also newly at the helm of Sony Music Publishing’s Nashville office, is excited about the company refresh.
“It’s really exciting because I’m brand new here as well. I’ve only been here a year and I walked in with the same passion and enthusiasm that Jon Platt did for the company overall. It was about making the focus of this Nashville office to be on one-on-one relationships with songwriters and about us providing hands-down, the very best service the songwriter could possibly get in Nashville.”
He says that the Sony Music Publishing Nashville office is getting a refresh as well, with the space being renovated.
“I am incredibly excited about when we come out of this pandemic, not only are we going back into a new Sony Music Publishing campus on Music Row, but it’s going to be completely renovated and it’s going to be the actual destination that songwriters want to come to.”
Gaston sums, “It’s a new culture and in Nashville, we’re going to have a brand new space.”
Kane Brown, Sony Music Nashville Launch 1021 Entertainment
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Zach Beeken, Garrett Nichols, Colton Pack, and Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Kane Brown and Sony Music Nashville have launched a new record label, 1021 Entertainment, with Restless Road as the first signing. The trio comprised of Zach Beeken, Colton Pack and Garrett Nichols have released their first single via the joint venture, “Took One Look At Her Momma.”
Brown has been mentoring the group for some time, including take them on the road as openers on his Worldwide Beautiful Tour.
Said Brown, “I want to give people chances to succeed. With 1021 Entertainment, I feel like we have a platform and team that can mentor and build up talent in country music. With my own label, I want to use it as an opportunity to shape and promote artists that may not have gotten a chance otherwise, for Restless Road and others in the future.”
“We are excited to welcome Restless Road to the Sony Music Nashville roster. Colton, Zach, and Garrett each bring undeniable talent, dedication, and innovation to this trio. It has also been rewarding to collaborate on this project with Kane and watch him mentor and advise as a label partner in ways only a superstar artist can,” said Margaret Tomlin, Sony Music Nashville Director, A&R.
Restless Road’s self-titled debut EP (released in February 2020 by Sony) was produced by Dann Huff and co-producer Lindsay Rimes. The trio, which is signed to Sony Music Publishing, co-wrote three of the four songs with a roster of hit-making collaborators.